Some good ideas here. In recent years my shopping list has gotten much shorter. My hardest is always my MIL. My siblings and I have started giving smaller gifts. None of us need anything and it gets to the point where you can't even think of something you want. I have a couple of small things for the Mr. and really have no clue what to get him. Most of my friends (and me too) have reached the point where we do not buy gifts for each other any more. We prefer to get together and celebrate the season. I really have no good gift ideas to contribute to this thread! The best idea I have come up with this year is a camping gift certificate at a certain state park for my sister and her husband (they live in Charleston but have a state park in TN they love to camp in). I didn't realize there was such a thing, but that will be good for them.

Sue, Asheville will be a fun weekend. We are just a couple of hours from there (over the mountains) and are there at least a couple of times a year.

I am definitely not a scrooge, but I really do not like amaryllis or paper whites!! I do have an antique urn on our hearth that is perfect for a large poinsettia. I love the pink and creamy colored ones - no red!! Hee!!

DH and I have been to Asheville together once, and I was just there on my own last month. Such a fun city!

Sueb, I must say that I’m impressed that you didn’t get involved in the planning for your husband & sons. If you did, don’t disillusion me. Too often, my female friends feel the need to control all family events. Their husbands get the glory but no work, and their kids don’t develop skills.

Sueb, my DH is a sweater, too. A few years ago my brother shared a discovery with him: Uniqlo Airism tees. DH is now a fan and happy to get one for birthdays and Christmas. He can even wear it under a shirt and not get hot.

https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.trueclassictees.com/&sa=U&sqi=2&ved=2ahUKEwj2nv-V5cGCAxW6MlkFHebaAD4QFnoECBEQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2fZHGftP3pjIvVwUjAh4SH

DH hates shopping and is fussy with what he wears. He found this brand and now has a few t-shirts.I just bought them for my SIL.

I have the Uniqlo Airism pajamas and love them. Just bought 2 more pair on a recent sale.

^^^^^lascatx -- I ordered those rolling pins from Ukraine last year for my nieces! They are beautifully made, and were well received. I especially liked the fact that the company is small and donated a portion of their profits to directly help their fellow citizens. Great gift.

I usually jump to the end of an established thread to read new comments from most recent backwards. I had a few moments of confusion and then a chuckle reading about your sweater husbands. i was thinking cozy version of a party doll, lol !

I am following along here, since I am clueless this year about what to buy. The neighbors for example. The same ones for 30 years, so I am running out of ideas. We are friendly, as in bringing in packages when they are out of town, but not close. I am usually trying to get something useful that they could also easily regift if they don’t like it. I wouldn’t be offended. A couple of years ago, I gave them a 2 pack of LED lanterns that also have a magnetic base. Thought they would come in handy for a power outage. We have them, and one of them hung on a hook in the ceiling works well enough for a big room to not trip over a dog in the dark. I was really happy to see the neighbors actually using them when going to the mailbox after dark and such. But what about this year? Not even starting on the family yet. Everybody really has everything they need by now. But it’s still expected to have around 3 presents for each of the 10 people. Maybe to make the tree look good? Wish I could get them to agree to downsize it all.

My favorite gift for neighbors is the huge poinsettia plant from Costco. They aren’t expensive and can be planted or discarded after the holidays.

I used to buy a lot of trinkety junk for DH’s family. And get a lot of trinkety junk in return. Finally one year, I sucked it up and sent an email to everyone asking them not to send us anything because we don’t need it and suggesting that we all donate to the children’s hospital instead. I think everyone breathed a sigh relief and that is what we’ve done ever since.

As far as physical items go - DH and I do not need anything and I can't even think of something I want. We have just about all we need or desire. We tell our adult kids that every year and yet they insist on gifting. I know how they feel because I want to give gifts too - I just don't need to get any.

A few years back DS suggested Elfster for the adults. It is similar to an online Secret Santa. Except for one big difference - when you sign up you also have to list gifts that you might like with a link to the item if possible. Names are drawn so you only gift the person whose name you have. We insisted on a $50 limit to keep cost down for our adult kids.

None of us need any stuff. At least with Elfster you know you're giving something they can use.

My grand daughters get so many gifts from the extended family that it's absurd. For 2 grand daughters (ages 4 1/2 and 2 1/2) we try to give an enrichment activity. Last year we gave the sisters swimming lessons, gymnastics and a year's pass to the Aquarium. This year it will be dance, art, music and the Zoo. We'll buy an outfit and a few crafts to wrap for under the tree - this year it will be ballet shoes, leotards and a tutu, and a toy musical instrument - and books, always books. The other grand daughter who is only 2 will probably get clothes which she needs, books and a Kiwi membership which is a subscription service for a monthly activity and craft box.

I know a lot of people aren't into the whole gift giving thing ... but it was something that gave my dad such joy and it passed to some (not all) of us. I love finding that perfect special gift for someone. As long as the kids love it, I will continue ...

Had lunch with our daughters yesterday and they are on board with no gifts- we are travelling. ive already gotten them the Emma Shipley candles. Getting each kid a small box of gourmet candy too. Done!

Jealous!

I kind of wish one of my grandchildren used car fresheners. Actually happy that they don’t. A car freshener with my face would thrill them, I’m sure. lol

https://www.instafreshener.com/collections/air-fresheners/products/custom-shape-air-freshener

Ohhhh thank you, Maddielee! Perfect stocking item for DH!

I usually put a "toy" in my daughters' SO's stockings - kind of a joke but they get kick out of them and end up playing with them. This year I ordered these Magic Hover Balls. They often go out after dinner and throw a ball around so I thought they could have some fun with these. Of course the one who is an engineer will probably have to figure out the inner workings of it first!

Magic Hover Balls

@maddielee. I'm going to get one for my husband with my face and a speech bubble that says "How fast are you going?" or "Your turn signal is still on!"

I think one with a pet's face would be super cute.

I found this by accident one day and made sure to write it down for a gift for DS & family. I never knew Land O Lakes made cocoa, especially this flavor. Will be buying two. ;)

Over 17,000 4.5 star ratings.

Stocking Stuffer Idea:

On a whim, I bought these furry hair clips thinking I'd use them to pull my hair back to wash my face. They were cheap enough so what the heck? I had no idea I'd actually wear them as an intentional accessory!

I LOVE them .. they're fun and add a little "snow bunny" a simple jeans and sweater outfit lol. The cream color is a little more natural looking.. not so yellow. It's the one I wear most.

This gift box might be fun for someone you are giving cash to

When they open the box cubes and the money fly out.

My favorite gift is these bowl holders for hot bowls or small plates. They are microwave safe and you can get them on esty in many different fabrics. They are also very inexpensive, under $10. Here’s mine.

@jab60 I'm going to make those microwave bowl cozies for my daughters and their SO's. They all often eat at their coffee tables as they don't have kids and don't feel the need to sit at the table to eat. Just need to source the 100% cotton batting. I'm also making them both Molly Baz style cross over aprons.

Nekotish Great for eating chili while watching football, ect etc!

If you have an artsy teenager I recommend these books:

The Journey is the Destination, by Dan Eldon. A selection of over 200 pages from the journals of photojournalist Dan Eldon, it is the legacy of a young artist killed just as his creative powers were beginning to be recognized by himself and others.

Beautiful Oops, by Barney Salzberg. This interactive book demonstrates how every mistake is an opportunity to make something beautiful. Unique in every respect, this book is full of pop-ups, lift-the-flaps, tears, holes, overlays, bends, smudges, and more, each demonstrating how blunders can become wonders.

Dropping in to say that my child's school is hosting a Scholastic Book Fair! You would not believe how many people have fond memories of their school book fairs and would just loooooove a glitter pen--or a Michael Jordan poster.

Proceeds benefit the school, so if you would like to make someone's day with a YA graphic novel/science facts book/character eraser, you can DM me and I will send you our school's online book fair link.

Your local schools may also be hosting book fairs--worth checking out!

For the Swifties in your life. Note: delivery if purchased on Amaz— isn’t til January. The 5 copies I ordered (for fans that are college students) from Barnes & Noble are showing ’have been shipped’.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/taylor-swift-wendy-loggia/1142194709?ean=9780593566725

The personalized "Where are you?" book looks really interesting for my niece and nephew. Thanks for sharing that.

Prank boxes for gifts:

https://pranko.com/collections/prank-packs

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ETA:

honibaker

23 days ago

For my neighbors who love RV camping:

.

Just ordered one for friends of ours, thank you!

I had the grands (7, 7, and 4) draw self-portraits. They are going on the Divvy-Up Socks that I buy for their dad each year (we put socks in the stockings). They are wild. He will love them!

LOL Jilly... and what fun, Bbstx! Great idea!

Maddielie - I was going to order the Taylor Swift book on B&N, but it showed a delivery date of December 27th. I found it on Walmart and I'm supposed to have it by Wednesday. I did pay more for shipping than the book though.

I need to buy a man bracelet and I'd like to keep it under $25. Any ideas?

One of my local stores has great mens bracelets in leather and silver -- they are $40 but I would bet you could find the same thing for less. It is sterling silver but thin and light which keeps the cost down, I guess (and also the weight). Bonus, it has a magnetic closure which i love.

They are for men-- but I got one for myself (i do not have dainty small wrists)

I think the key to staying in the $25 range is to look at a leather/metal combo. They make many styles.

With all the sales going on, I would try Macys, Saksofffifth and your local stores.

Not sure what style you are looking for but here are a few not too far over your budget .. $29 and $39 left to right (Nordstrom).

In a slightly higher price range (sharing in case someone else is looking), I got the one below for my nephew-- he specifically asked for another from the designer who made the one I gave him last year. I was really pleased with both of them. They were both about $75.

This year's

last year's (also available at Sundance-- and i think they still have 30% off everything?)

Okay. I'm laughing at local stores as I don't have any unless grocery stores count and then we're not talking whole foods or trader Joe's!

LOL sorry ... ok, definitely check out Nordstrom Rack. I didn't snap any photos because I don't know the style you are looking for ... but there are MANY in your price range and a wide variety of styles. At least the ones that caught my eye were originally sold over $100 and greatly reduced.

Oh I like Nordstrom rack and I forget about it a lot! Thank you!

If you need an overpriced gift for a foodie, they may know of Blue Hill. I've not bought products from them but I have dined there a few times and it is world class.

https://bluehillmarket.com/gifts/gift-sets/holiday-box

Nice gift boxes ... I almost added one of the other boxes to my cart but then I remembered I am DONE shopping lol.

I ended up ordering one of the Wonderbly books for my nephew and niece. I opted to get the one that they offer with multiple characters so they can look at the book together. I know they love to be read to together and look at books together, so this one seemed fun for now. If they like it, I may end up buying each of them an individual character book in the future.

Thank you for the suggestion! I hope they like it.

Do you need an inexpensive gift for someone you don't know well?

Maybe a Secret Santa gift at work, or a hostess gift?

I saw this glittered sleigh today at Walmart. It's filled with Ghirardelli chocolate samples, and I was surprised how pretty it is...for $15!

The sleigh is solid and metal, could be used for Christmas decor.

Isnt this cute?

For AFOLS: customizable laptop cover:

I thought of two (budget friendly) gifts I received last year that I can recommend.

1. Hamilton Beach 3 in 1 egg cooker $20. I use it quite often for hard-boiled eggs and they peel perfectly every time. When I hard boil eggs in a pan, it's hit or miss as to whether or not they will peel easily.

2. WIlliams Sonoma Logo Stripe Dish Towels $25. They're Turkish cotton and after using them for almost a year they have not shrunk or stained. My old dish towels always got blotchy after a bit, but not these.

Fleece lined leggings from Constantly Varied Gear (CVG). I have a pair in purple and I just bought the black for MIL and me. I can wear a M but in these I bought L for me and M for MIL. Oh yeah DH and MIL have December birthdays so it’s always a challenge to find them things. I’ve also thought about the heated vests for both of us.

I have a CVG obsession. I have a lot. If you are active they are great. They are sturdy and not see through.

I also bought DH some Ray Ban sunglasses. He tends to break or lose sunglasses but he’s talked about a pair for awhile.